But balanced among those figures was the realisation that in a major earthquake, people affected were more concerned with survival rather than recording the fact they had felt it.
There was also an ever-increasing number of respondents as more people with smartphones were downloading the app and having their experience recorded.
The weekend's earthquake followed a lighter 4.7 magnitude shake earlier that evening at 7.27pm, also at a depth of 57km, and also 50km north-west of Paraparaumu.
There were 3700 people that responded to Geonet as having felt what was classed as a minor earthquake.
Social media came alight with people describing their experience. Many people were in bed at the time and were woken by the shake, describing the shake as "a good one" and that it also "sounded like a truck approaching".
Several dog owners spoken to by Horowhenua Chronicle also reported strange behaviour in their pets leading up to the earthquakes.
Geonet records and monitors earthquakes. While both weekend events were too small to cause a tsunami threat to New Zealand, it was a reminder to coastal communities of processes to follow in the event of a tsunami.
The rule of thumb was that if an earthquake was particularly strong it could possible trigger a tsunami, or if it also was a prolonged shake of one minute or more.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has a website with information on what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has a website with information on how to get your home, apartment, or rental prepared for a natural disaster.
And if you feel a long or strong earthquake, or receive a tsunami warning alert, get to higher ground immediately, and remember in an earthquake to Drop, Cover and Hold.